Job Jobbed!

At last, one of the winter tasks can be ticked off the list as a section of Hazel has finally been coppiced! This has been a big operation and involved several days of hard graft which were rudely interrupted by Storm Arwen! Most of the work has been carried out by the regular team of mid-week volunteers who have put in many hours and in all kinds of weather conditions.

As the Hazel hadn't been cut for many years, the thick stools were cut with a chainsaw. The stems then had to be carried down the steep bank. They were either woven into a dead hedge (which looks fantastic) or put through the woodchipper. Some were used for Forest School activities and others were cut into pieces to be used for the Wildlife Craft Day at half term.

The dry weather combined with the recent hard frosts made ideal conditions for the finishing touches as the ground was firm enough to cope with heavy machinery such as quad bikes and woodchippers.

A group from the Personalised Learning Centre (PLC) in Northallerton lent a hand by sorting the stems into different piles ahead of the woodchipping days.

They also helped by raking out the piles of chippings so that the layer is thin enough for the spring wildflowers to push through in a few weeks time. Primroses, Wood Anemones and Bluebells will all benefit from the additional light reaching the ground.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved with this winter's Hazel coppicing; the finished area will be beautiful in the spring so make sure you visit again then to see the results of your efforts!